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Serpentine
Serpentine

Steatite
Steatite



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Serpentine
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Steatite

Serpentine and Steatite Optical Properties

Optical Properties

Luster

Pleochroism

Dispersion

Transparency

Refractive Index

Optic Character

Crystal System

Birefringence

Clarity

 
Vitreous, Greasy, Silky
-
0.01
Translucent
1.560-1.571
-
monoclinic
0.008-0.014
Translucent
 
-
-
0.01
-
1.539-1.596
-
-
0.046-0.050
OpaqueUlrich Henn and Claudio C. Milisenda

Serpentine and Steatite Optic Character

Serpentine and Steatite optical properties play a significant role while distinguishing these gemstones from each other. These properties are influenced by the Serpentine Vs Steatite like crystallographic symmetry, pleochroism,etc. in the crystal. Some of the optical properties are refractive index, luster, optic character, pleochroism etc. Prominent among these is Serpentine and Steatite optic character. You might have noticed your gemologist rotating the gemstone while testing it. Rotating a gemstone along its optic axis helps in determining its optic character.

Serpentine and Steatite Transparency

Similar to their colors, Serpentine and Steatite transparency can also be used as criteria for their primary identification. Although transparency cannot be the only criteria for gemstone identification, it can efficiently used in gemstone grading. Talking about their transparency, Serpentine is while Serpentine is in appearance.